This is the best Theodore has played on an extended basis since 2002. He looked like Dom Hasek in his prime last night, throwing his body at the puck and doing whatever it takes to stop it. I'm glad to see a growing appreciation for Poti and Pothier. Those guys are both very solid puck carrying D-men. If they stay healthy (big if, no doubt), we're well set in that regard.

Are you kidding me? He has to rest Theo...Theo cant play 3 games in 4 nights....

Posted by: SA-Town | February 3, 2010 1:34 PM

that may be true - but BB won't hesitate to play him. he played varly 3g in 4 nights against the pens in the playoffs - and then went back to him for a fourth game in 6 nights.
in the grand scheme of winning the SC - this streak is only important to the players to see how long they can keep it going. right now the best chance is with theo in net.

I think the whole "Goalies need a break" or "can't Play back to back" thing is overrated. I can understand mental breaks ( I need many of those) but unless injured there should be no reason a goalie can't play everyday. They used to. Some still do. I will admit there will be wear and tear. But judicious time off is absolutely reasonable. Next thing you'll know, we'll see "relief Goalies" like in baseball.

I don't know about that. Brodeur is probably the only goalie currently playing who can play at such a consistent basis for so long.
There's other top goalies who get a huge work-load, like Kipper, but Brodeur is pretty much a freak.

Now the question is when Varly comes back do we go with him or Theo. I mean Varly was 12-1-2 with a .924 save percentage. Even Neuvy has been playing well lately but the fact of the matter is that Theo has truly been playing lights out. I mean 2 40 plus save games is insane.

Theo should start every game and Steven Strasburg should start all 162 games next year for the Nats as well.

Posted by: SA-Town | February 3, 2010 2:28

Start and finish all 162. Heck, he shoudl play all the positions. Just like Bugs Bunny. No relievers, No fielders. Don't even hire 'em. Reduce the ticket prices and Give away free beer with the money they save.

As I have always said...the next two year are our closest shot at the Cup (on paper)...just want to cover all our bases so we aren't throwing rocks at Theo in April when doesn't do well in the playoffs.

Brendan Witt may have been a bum but we did trade him for the draft pick that became Varlamov so the guy is not all bad, and really that trade could not have been better, with hindsight we can say it was probably one of the best trades in Caps history.

Right up there with Robert Lang for Fleischman and the draft pick that became Mike Green, but Lang was leading the league in scoring when we traded him, Witt was a bum I can not believe we got a first round pick for him.

ESPN has a stat called PROD, which is actually minutes-per-point, so lower is better.

The Capitals have FIVE of the top 18 in this stat (minimum 30 games played). Fehr has slipped recently from actually being in the top 10 down to #18, but Fleischmann has recently moved ahead of Kovalchuk, while Backstrom is now #8.

Chimera, if you look at his numbers since he joined the Capitals at www.nhl.com, and get out your calculator, you'll see he has a 23:02 PROD in his 17 Capitals games, which is exactly the same PROD as #51 on the above list if I'd continued it that far, Scottie Upshall, and just ahead of #52 Thomas Vanek and just behind #50 Patrick Sharp.

Chimera is also +5 while with the Capitals.

And it's clear, even ignoring the numbers, that he's got some speed along with some fight and has got some decent offensive skills. He's not making many errors either--at least not ones I've noticed.

Maybe GMGM wasn't merely trying to clear up cap space--maybe he was trying to actually improve the team as well?

Ha! I'm off to see the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Lowell Devils tonight (because it's at Prudential Center and I never pass up close-by AHL action), and whose name do I see on the Lowell roster but ex-Bear Louis Robitaille, back from Italy!

And yes, he's already got more PIMs this season than pounds on his frame - averaging 4.9 a game (which I guess means he got lazy one or two nights this season).

Always good to see the guys from Hershey still kicking around in pro hockey.

@ BB's not gonna pull Theo in favor of someone who's never had an NHL start in the middle of a historic winning streak... NOT gonna happen.

Posted by: joek443 | February 3, 2010 1:28 PM

I was thinking the exact same thing. We are involved in something that possibly could go down in the record books leage wise, and I don't know if you want to put that on a young rookie goalie. Might ruin him mentally if he gave up a bad goal and the team lost. I gotta have a feeling that it's gonna be Theo all the way thru, untill Varly or Neuvy is ready to return.

@youaresquishy: Thanks for the stats on Chimera. It is pretty obvious to me that this guy is an extremely valuable addition to the team. He is big and really fast and he has that nastiness that we have seemed to lack. As usual, GMGM knew what he was doing.

Playing Theo 3 nights out of 4 could result in injury, then where would we be. Someone other than Theo will start one of those games...my guess is Friday, and I'm guessing (guessing folks, not making a iron clad statement of fact) Varly will be back with Theo on the bench.

Is there a chance Sunday's game will be cancelled since we're expecting 12-20 inches on Saturday?

Posted by: jakopz | February 3, 2010 3:54 PM | Report abuse

Cancelled, no. Postponed? Maybe. Especially if the Pens can't get into DC on Saturday after their 2 p.m. game in Montreal. I'd hate to see that, though. I was looking forward to a hockey-Super Bowl doubleheader on Sunday. A lot of Super Bowl parties are going to get ruined if we get all the snow they're calling for.

I really, REALLY hope that Caps do not go after Witt even on re-entry waivers where we only have to pay half of this years remaining cap hit. Witt still has a year left on his contract after this year at 3 million of a cap hit. Given how tight we are going to be trying to resign Backstrom, Flash, Fehr, and Shultz there is no way we should add an extra 3 million to next season. Even if after the season we waived him we will still probably have to eat the salery just like we did with Nylander and how many guys is Ted going to want to pay who aren't on the team?

I think the Caps have a good chance of winning on Thursday in New York.

Rangers just added Jokinen, who got 0 points and went -2 in his first Rangers game but did post 4 shots on goal.

But it's the Rangers' first game at home after a three-game west coast road trip. I think the first-game-home effect could come into play here. And it's the Rangers' fourth game in six days.

Counting OT losses as losses, Caps' road record is 17-12, while Rangers' home record is 12-17.

Lundqvist, according to ESPN, is on a five-game personal losing streak with a 3.66 GAA during that time. But he only gave up 2 in in LA on Tuesday.

According to ESPN, Lundqvist is 2-2-2, which really means 2-4, in his last six vs. Washington, with a 3.69 GAA in those six games (although I am pretty sure that's just regular season--I think he was 3-4 with a 3.00 GAA in the playoffs last year.)

I like the Caps' chances to run it to 12.

Then Caps have to play the next day (Friday) against the Thrashers, and the Thrashers will be well-rested and not happy about having been spanked by the Caps 8-1 less than a month ago, so that's iffy for sure.

But if the Caps can get through the Rangers and the Thrashers, then they get Pittsburgh in DC on Sunday, one day after the Penguins have to play in Montreal. And the Caps beat them 6-3 earlier this season.

If the Caps can somehow win their next 6 and tie the record of 17 in a row, that's when it gets tough, because they will then have an appointment in Buffalo. One way or another, I don't see it running to 18, but it's been fun.

FWIW, because I like stirring it up a bit, HockeyBuzz is saying there is a frontrunner team for Kovy that no one is talking about who has offered exactly what Atlanta wants...a deal that help thems now and in the future. They did not name the team, but anyone care to guess?

I wouldn't be surprised if the team in the front running for Kovalchuk was Chicago. They have so many pieces to give up in trade and with their cap situation this is THE year for them to win (according to many Hawks fans)>

I wouldn't be surprised if the team in the front running for Kovalchuk was Chicago. They have so many pieces to give up in trade and with their cap situation this is THE year for them to win (according to many Hawks fans)>

Posted by: DevilsCapsGal | February 3, 2010 5:37 PM | Report abuse

I agree. Chicago has so many players that they wont be able to keep after this season its almost laughable.

You think that this is the Caps year, Chi has to win this year or else. Their window is closing. Salary cap is a mess.

New Jersey has cap space, almost as much as L.A. http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/ Only six teams have scored fewer goals than New Jersey so far, so the Devils clearly need him more than L.A. does. And I've got to think the Devils have plenty of prospects to offer, since their AHL team is doing pretty well (62 points in 50 games so far), although L.A.'s is doing even better.

I think it's Boston. They have two first round picks this year. recently told Ryder he's on the trading block, and they are in a massive slump (0-6-2). All those factors seem to point to them, but it's impossible to know until the deal is done.

Picking up Witt without giving up anything like a young goalie, blueliner, or a pick seems like a good idea to me. He is gritty and coming to the Caps would be some Ponce Deleon juice. No way the Caps trade for Kovi -- too expensive for what Waddell will want and the cap hit will be murder. Ryder is interesting, but probably too expensive in terms of cap and trade. How long does Witter have on his contract?

Kovi in NJ -- please God no! That's like serving filet to a pig -- not appreciated. Or giving a high-end sportscar to a granny -- doesn't know how to drive it. Kovi's talent would be wasted in NJ: the world's most boring hockey team (even including Columbus and Minnesota)

Hitchcock gone -- who made the virgin sacrifice to the God's of hockey? That guy coaches such a boring, stiffling system that robs Nash of his talent. If the hockey gods are truly happy, NJD will actually look at a calendar and figure out it's not the clutch-and-grab late 90's. And if the gods are super happy, Pittsburgh will lose the baby-blue uni's (even a total queen would call those unis a bit sissy) and Crysbaby will leave for Tibet to find himself for a decade or so.

Would not recommend playing Theo in both the NY Rangers and Atlanta games. Back to back starts is a bit dicey for most goalies under most circumstances. Given the fact that Theo was just got back from being injured and the fact that we have had a bunch of really closely scheduled games, giving him a breather seems to be the logical thing to do. It would be one thing if it were the playoffs, but since it's regular season.

This recommendation would hold true even if the Caps weren't on a winning streak. Most goalies are usually not that sharp on the second game of back to back starts -- not just Theo. I'd say start Theo against the Rangers, use Holtby against Atlanta, and Theo against the Pens (when he's fresher). I know the kid will feel bad if he's the goalie in the first loss but then again, he was the main goalie playing during Hershey's streak.

I am going for a surprise team for Kovy. I am going to go with the Islanders. I think that Witt getting waved was to clear up more Cap space for Kovy. I am not sure what exactally they would give up but I am sure they would be willing to.

For a second never going to happen guess I will go with TB for Vinny. Atl gets a star it needs and TB gets a player who can keep them in the race in the East and then be gone at the end of the year (since they are always trying to cut costs).

GMGM: Keep in mind the Caps have one 11 in a row with the current lineup (I know it's not the playoffs). But, if there isn't a prime defenseman available without screwing with the current team chemistry, let's just go with the guys we've got! I just read a blog about how Calgary was glad to trade Phaneuf because he isn't well liked in the locker room, thankfully we didn't get into that deal!

I've been reflecting on the trades. It seems that during the last year or two, almost every time another team's star was on the block, the suggestion was made to "trade Semin for him".

I recall suggestions of Semin for Heatley; Semin for Pronger; Semin for Bouwmeester (sp?); Semin for Phaneuf. And the Semin for Kovalchuk idea has been floated.

I would not have personally made any of those suggestions, being as the guys involved are all mega expensive and, for the most part, even more expensive than Sasha. I'm sure it's possible to get a good trade for Semin, just not likely. And I want to see him remain a Cap.

Semin, Poti, Gustafsson and a 1st for Kovalchuk and Kubina. With Semin and Poti gone, and both Kovy and Kubina UFA, could perhaps afford to sign Kovy at a discount, if he is willing. Or, maybe a 1 year deal like semin took, or Hossa took a few years ago.

That line up guarantees a trip to the finals, and guarantees pittsburgh and philly don't get him.

Spezza scores his second of the night to put the Sens up 2-0 on the Sabres with 12 to go in the 3rd. Senators keep winning, but a win would also help keep our gap above our Eastern Conf. opponents at a healthy 10 points.

The Thrashers made Kovalchuk's camp one last contract offer two weeks ago, said a source -- an eight-year deal worth $80 million, an average of $10 million a year.

On Wednesday, Kovalchuk met with Thrashers GM Don Waddell to discuss the situation. It's believed Waddell simply told the captain that since there hadn't been a response to the team's last contract offer, he would now have to look seriously at trading him very soon

I think Kubina could be a possible good addition. Atlanta has a bunch of young defensmen and doesn't like to spend much money so I wouldn't be suprised if they are planning on letting him go after the year. Like any other trade it would be dependent on the cost.

While they could still make a playoff run, that seems less likely if Kovalchuk is traded.

While anyone would love to have Bogosian, there is no way Atlanta is going to trade a 19 year old defenseman with his immense talents. He is more valuable than any prospect we have and I don't think Atlanta would even trade him for Carlson, Holtby and a #1 or possibly even more.

I'm with JIMALLCAPS - i think we should take a look at Witt. Remember he would be claimed off re-entry waivers so we would only pay 1/2 of his remaining salary this yr and next. So what, he'd cost us 800k this yr and 1.5M next yr? Not to mention the fact that we don't have to give up any players, prospects or picks. As far as the ones stating how slow he is, that may be true but he'd also be the nastiest Dman we have and would at least clear somebody out of the crease. If Schultz and Erskine have a spot on this team, Witt wouldn't be outta place.

So he may not be the best option but given that he's very cap friendly and we don't have to give up anything to get him, I think we should look at this. Don't forget too that he's been playing for the ISLANDERS! Really? How good can you really be on that team? Ask Chimera how much you can improve when you're surrounded by better talent. Not stating the Islanders are terrible because they are improving but the Islanders aren't in the Caps class.

I know he and Ted had a falling out when he left so I wonder how Ted would feel about this. Forgive and forget? We'll see.